More than £1/2m grants given for emergency church repairs in Norfolk

Abigail Nicholson

Published: 9:18 AM February 21, 2021

All Saints church in Briston. - Credit: Graham Corney

Emergency repair grants of more £1/2m have been awarded to 28 churches in Norfolk.

Sue and Eddie Wakefield have organised a heritage day at St Andrew's Church, Little Cressingham, in

St Andrew's Church, Little Cressingham - Credit: Archant

Historic England has worked at "double speed" to process grants to places of worship in the region.

The grants, which add up to £513,011, will enable churches to repair any damage, carry out investigative surveys or work on conservation.

Historic England made the grants from the government’s £1.57 billion Covid Recovery Fund, which was announced last autumn.

Peter Sheppard, chairman of the Norfolk Churches Trust, said that these grants to 28 Norfolk churches will really help.

Owners of Wolterton Hall, Peter Sheppard (left) and Keith Day (right), in one of the sitting rooms a

Peter Sheppard - Credit: Archant

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He said: “This is a first-class example of practical, financial help to safeguard the future of our prized church heritage.

“Thank you to Historic England’s team for making these awards as part of the government’s Culture Recovery Fund. It will make a real difference."

As well as the £1/2m for Norfolk churches, eight in Suffolk will share £110,190 and two in Cambridgeshire will share £43,680.

St John the Evangelist in Ovington. Picture: Ian Burt

St John the Evangelist in Ovington - Credit: Ian Burt

Six Norfolk churches have received the maximum £25,000 – and four have been awarded £24,000 or more.

Two of the churches, St Peter & St Paul, Watlington, near King’s Lynn and St Peter, Forncett, near Long Stratton, were added to Historic England’s heritage at risk register late last year.

Mid-Norfolk church architect Ruth Blackman was especially pleased that £9,389 had been secured to prevent the loss of the east chancel window at All Saints, Scottow, near Norwich.

The Norfolk Churches Trust had been so concerned at the window’s desperate condition that it gave £7,000 for repairs in 2019.

St Mary The Virgin 14th century Church Beeston which has won a restoration award; left to right Davi

St Mary The Virgin 14th century Church Beeston which has won a restoration award - Credit: Archant

Mrs Blackman said: "It has been a terrific scheme and Historic England’s team has really helped to enable urgent work to be carried out.”

St Andrew, Kirby Bedon, can repair the porch with its Covid-19 fund grant of about £19,500.

Churchwarden Peter de Bunsen said: "As the churches dates from early 12th century, this fund will protect a Norman doorway from the weather and potential damage,”

All Saints Church in Mattishall

Four Norfolk round tower churches have also received grants, including £20,000 for St Mary, Beachamwell, which will enable the south slope to be re-thatched.

The work is scheduled to start in early April once the south aisle roof has been recovered next month following a lead theft in 2019.